Week 44: Hebrews

Prepare these questions for Sunday, February 9, 2014. We will not meet February 2 due to myLife.

Hebrews is a letter written to people of Jewish descent who were also Christians. It was probably written before the year 70 AD, but enough time after Jesus died and rose again that these people were not witnesses to his life and death. No author is named, but Timothy is mentioned in the end of the book so it must have been someone who knew him.

1. Much of this book references the Old Testament (especially in chapters 3, 7, and 11). What is the purpose of all of these references? How do they influence how you read this book?

2. What is a covenant and what is the "new covenant" that is talked about in chapter 8? How does this covenant affect our lives if we are Christ followers?

3. Read verses 4:12-14. What characteristics about God are revealed in these verses?

4. Hebrews is filled with words of encouragement and exhortation. Read the following verses: 5:12-13, 11:1-3, 12:1-3, and 13:1-8. Use your own words to summarize each set of verses. What message(s) can be taken from these words when read together? How is this message useful to you today?